The complexion of the match was changed by an equally abysmal refereeing decision when Kevin Friend awarded a penalty for James McArthur’s clean challenge, which saw Jose Izquierdo fall to ground.

Naturally, Glenn Murray slotted it home.

Shane Duffy’s sending off made no difference when substitute Leon Balogun volleyed home unmarked with his first touch, and it was game over from then. Brighton did exactly what they needed to do; sit back and defend in numbers.

But what was appalling was the lack of spirit, leadership and fight from Palace’s players. There was no desire.

The incident with Wilfried Zaha glaring at a Brighton fan prior to the game was blown out of proportion, but Zaha is 26 now and still he acts tempestuously far too frequently.

Passion is exactly what you want from a player - it is clear he cares - but he needs to calm down on the pitch when he is fouled, and not commit retaliatory fouls.

He goes missing far too often in big games, but at the AMEX the moment he was given license to play wide he won a penalty. It’s almost as thought it's painfully obvious that he is wasted centrally, but Roy Hodgson is too stubborn to change it.

Indeed, Hodgson’s reluctance to change things early on is concerning, and problematic.